One of my prized posessions is a Japanese Scroll which depicts what most at first glance would see as Kwanon the Mother Goddess of Shinto, and a Buddhist Goddess.

To those who know, or look closer, she is holding lillies. It is a scroll produced in Hiroshima prior to the War, that was placed in family altars in Japanese Catholic homes in place of a Buddhist Image. In this manner, Catholics could practice their religion unmolested by the Authorities.

Every now and then Mr. Mitsui posts Kakure Kirishtani (Secret Christian) images on his blog. He also has posted pictures of images salvaged from the old Cathedral of Nagasaki, which was destroyed in the atomic bombing of that city.

Early in 2010, I received a commission to draw St. Michael in the idiom of traditional Japanese art. The image proved popular, and many people contacted me to express their hope that I would create more religious artwork in this style.

The above ink drawing of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus was commissioned by a man in California. It contains the traditional elements of the Perpetual Help icon (the Holy Child's shoe falling off, the archangels showing the instruments of the Passion) but is realized in the style of a 19th century Japanese woodblock print.

I referenced several prints for this drawing, but one in particular was an especially strong influence. I wanted to be sure not to use as the model for the Blessed Virgin any woman with unchaste or otherwise inappropriate associations, so I searched for Japanese prints of women famous for their virtue and chastity. I discovered the print of Chujo-hime and the Spirit of Her Wicked Stepmother by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi.